Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-11
A FIENDISH PLOT FAILS.
SCORES OF LIVES SAVED BY A
PREMATURE EXPLOSION.

Adelina Patti and John c. Flood the In
tended Victims of an Internal Bomb
The Bomb Also Arranged so as to Fire
the Theatre and Thus Cause Many
Other Fstalities-The Man Who Was
to Throw 1t the Only Person Injured.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10.-A dramatic
and sensational episode occurred at the
Grand Opera House last night. Adelina
Patti was giving her last concert of the
season. which was announced also as her
last appearance in this city. The incl
dent will tend to make PATHS farewell
memorable. At 1920 o'clock, after Patti
had twice appeared In front of the cur
tain in response to recalls at the conclu-
sion of an aria from ia Traviata," and
just as she had retired again to the wings,
tremendous explosion was clearly heard
above the vociterous applause, and q
cloud of smoke was seen to rise over the
railing of the top gallery.
PANIC IMMINENT.
Instantly every lorgnette in the house
was focused on the portion of the house
where the exciting scene was transpiring
and panic was imminent. The peOp lie
In the gallery were rushing about seeking
the quickest means of exit, and it was
only through the self-possessIon of new g.
paper men present in the boxes, coupled
with that of the diva, that a stampede OF
the entire audience for the doors was pre-
vented. The new spaper men were In the
stage box and quickly perceived that no
serious result had occurred and that the
danger was over. They communicated
by mods and motions with Nine. Patti,
who was still in the flies, to come before
the curtain.
PATTI TO THE RESCUE.
She comprehended the situation and
came forward quickly, and giving the cue
to ''Arditi," began singing "Home, Sweet
Home" This mad a calming effect on the
audience, and though many left to ascer-
tain the cause and effect OF the uneX-
pected punctuation to the performance,
the concert was carried on to it's cOnclu-
sion. AS soon as the location OF the trou-
bic could be learned a policeman rushed
to the scene and found a man with badly
burned face and hands, moaning with
agony ,and the remains OF an internal ma
chine about him. He was placed under
arrest and conveyed to Irving Hospital,
where he stated that when he stopped to
pick up his hat and cane he found pack
age under his seat, which he picked up,
and that as he raised it to see what it was
it exploded.
HIS IDENTITY.
Though he was badly burned about the
face and hands it is believed that he re-
celved no serious injuries. and no other
person, il is believed, was hurt. He gave
the name of DR.. James Hodges, his age
as II years, his calling that of dys-
pepsia specialist, and his residence as
No. 4 Central Place. Others, however,
give different but undoubtedly correct
nrEf nf fltA off 20 in lo1 In
next to him and who narrowly escaped
injury, says that during the evening he
made number of significant remarks
which pointed clearly to the purpose he
afterward attempted to carry out.
ONE OF HIS REMARKS.
Among the observations which the lady
distinctly remembered, was: Patti is
singing eXcellently tonight; but she will
never sing any more" he was also
heard to make uncomplimentary and re-
vengelul illusions TO j. c. Flood and his
family, who We're present in a box.
AT the Irving Hospital, after his wounds
had been dressed, the Chief of Police at
tempted to make him commit himself,
but the effort was complete failure. He
stoutly maintained his innocence. The
Chief of Police pronounces him a crank.
The bomb was made with can filed
with powder in the centre OF which was
a bottle. The can was wrapped IN pieces
of cloth soaked IN intiammable oil.
THE DIABoLICAL PLOT.
1t is believed that the intention was not
only to kill Patti and those near the stage,
but also to set fire to the building. The
bomb was arranged to explode by a num-
Der of friction matches, which were con-
nected with fuse inserted in the pow der.
The theory is that the fuse burned too
quickly for the crank and that the ex-
plosion was premature. Though Patti
performed her part in the remainder Of
the programme, it was noticeable that
the occurrence had considerable effect
upon her, aud somewhat subdued her
usual viyacity.